Explore the ideals that underpin governments and the clash of convictions that drives political unrest
Year of entry: 2025/26
VL52
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
Learn about the foundations of thought and political theory, build the understanding and analytical skills valued by top employers and prepare to shape the world.
Studying Philosophy and Politics you'll develop an understanding not only of political theory but of the ancient and modern philosophical debates that drive political ideals. What is freedom, without the power to act? By what right do our rulers govern? What makes a society good and is ethical governance even possible?
You'll learn with a diverse and international student body and with opportunities to study abroad you can develop a truly global perspective. Our active Club of Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP) encourages debate beyond the classroom, and employers value the skills you will develop in thinking across boundaries and engaging critically with a range of material.
for Politics, according to the Times Good University Guide 2025.
With degrees in PPE, Economics and Philosophy, Economics and Politics, and Philosophy and Politics you can choose the right degree to develop your strength across these interconnected disciplines.
for Philosophy, according to the Times Good University Guide 2025.
The Economics and Philosophy degree programme aims to train students to combine different disciplinary perspectives in an instructive way. You'll benefit from a solid grounding in the core subjects of Philosophy and Politics and build an understanding of the connections between these subjects
You'll choose from a large range of option modules that will help you tailor the course to your own interests so that you can develop your strengths in your second and third years.
You also have the option of taking the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) dissertation - an independent piece of work in which you'll be able to apply the analytical skills you have developed across these disciplines.
It is reasonably easy to transfer between the courses in the School of PPE, subject to space being available on the course you want to move to and providing you have the required qualifications. It is relatively easy to change within the first few weeks of the first year. After this, you may have to wait until the start of the second year, and at that point you can move only into a course for which you have taken the relevant first year introductory modules.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
The university-wide placement scheme gives you the chance to work for a year as part of your degree to prepare you for the world of work. Previous placements have included GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, British Airways, DAI and Lloyds Bank.
Your first year will be split equally between Politics and Philosophy.
You will study four option modules - two from Philosophy, and two from Politics. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Philosophy
Politics
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
Second Year enables you to start to specialise in the areas of Philosophy and Politics that interest you most.
You will study a range of option modules - three Philosophy modules, and three Politics modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
In your third year, you will be able to select a variety of topics from Philosophy and Politics.
Dissertation
You may choose the PPE dissertation of 4,000-5,000 words as one of your option modules. You’ll receive one-to-one support from a supervisor.
Examples of previous dissertation titles include:
You will study up to five option modules. Two from Politics, two from Philosophy, and one of your choice. In previous years, PPE students have taken modules including (but not limited to):
Politics
Philosophy
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £25,800 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We teach in two main ways: seminars and lectures. The main focus of your coursework will be in seminar groups, normally of 10-15 students. In seminars you will produce and discuss your own work, under the guidance of a module tutor. Seminars are normally accompanied by lectures, attended by all of the students taking the module.
In the first year, you will take introductory modules alongside students from a wide range of degree courses. In the second and third year modules and lectures are smaller - often with as few as 20 students.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 6 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 3-5 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
The School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy is located in Derwent College, on Campus West. Teaching on this course takes place at various locations across Campus West including Derwent, the Physics and Electronics building and the Spring Lane Building.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
The majority of your assessments will be either unseen examination papers or essays, which will vary depending on the department running the module.
Assessments occur throughout the three years of study, usually at the end of a semester.
The interdisciplinary nature of Economics and Philosophy provides transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers. With our diverse student body and opportunities for internships and study abroad you'll be prepared to enter the global marketplace.
The Club of PEP also provides a platform for students to meet with experts and and industry insiders through their careers branch, YorkWorks.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AABBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other qualifications | We welcome applications from mature students (ie those aged over 21), and usually admit a number each year. In all cases we look for evidence of ability, interest and commitment, but we may not require specific formal qualifications. In most cases, we prefer to interview mature candidates before offering them a place. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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